Additional Immunization Requirements for Sixth-Grade Entry
One dose of Tdap is required for sixth-grade entry IF the child is 11 years old. If the child is 10 years old when entering sixth grade, they have 45 days after their 11th birthday to receive the Tdap vaccination. If a child has a contraindication to Tdap, Td is acceptable. If a child aged seven through nine years receives a dose of Tdap as part of a catch-up series, an adolescent Tdap vaccine dose must be administered by the 45th day following the child’s 11th birthday. A dose given at age 10 will count for the sixth-grade Tdap requirement. If a child seven years or older has an incomplete DTaP primary series, please contact the Department of Health for assistance.
One dose of meningococcal vaccine (MCV4) is required for sixth-grade entry IF the child is 11 years old. If the child is 10 years old when entering sixth grade, they have 45 days after their 11th birthday to receive the meningococcal vaccine. If a child receives a dose at age 10 or after, the dose does not need to be repeated.
NOTE: Hib, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, HPV, annual Influenza, and Pneumococcal vaccines are recommended but not required.
Legal alternatives to minimum immunization requirements are defined, and the means for appropriate certification is provided for, on the face of this document. There are no other exemptions.
Contact the South Dakota Department of Health, Immunization Program, at 1-800-592-1861 (in SD only), or email with your questions. Check this schedule from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for a complete listing of recommended immunizations.